Several weeks ago Chip Offers - owner of The Garden Gnome Landscaping had an idea. As a small dog park user, with his dogs Dudley and Olive, he wished there was more shade. He decided to plant some trees to take care of the issue. He arranged for Pine Lake Nursery to donate one 30 gallon maple tree and he would donate a second one.

However he needed to get necessary permissions from the county. At that time I had advised him of the new Lutz Dog Park website/blog and my new role as a dog park volunteer. After we finished our usual discourse on politics, he mentioned his plans to me. I then reached out to Adrienne Rouse and Paul Russo of the Parks Dept. They in turn obtained the necessary approvals from the Parks Department management.

Today Chip and his employee Logan Carter planted both trees. The trees were so big they had to water them using his wheelbarrow. Chip plans to stop by every day to continue watering the trees until they can make it alone. We placed the trees so there would be some additional shade during parts of the day on the nearby benches. Chip predicts that in a couple of years the trees will really shoot up, giving the small dog users the shade we need.

Pre-tree planting

First 30 gallon maple tree planted

The second maple tree standing proud in its new home, ready to be peed on by the small dogs.

Pre-tree planting

Chip Offers and Logan Carter plant the second 30 gallon maple tree

I like Chip's logo a lot and decided to share it along with his and the Pine Lake Nursery's contact information. He calls it a logo and I call it a self portrait of him. When you see Chip or drive by the nursery tell them thanks..